Window operator device



Aug. 6, 1957 K. s. RODAWAY 2,801,345

WINDOW OPERATOR DEVICE Filed Feb. 17, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet l 5a INVENTOR.Ks/r14 5. Room mg Aug. 6, 1957 K. s. RODAWAY 2,801,845

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WINDOW OPERATOR DEVICE Keith S. Rodaway, Pacoima, Calif., assignor toHehr Manufacturing Company, a corporation of California ApplicationFebruary 17, 1954, Serial No. 410,843

3 Claims. (Cl. 268-105) This invention relates generally to windowstructures and more particularly to operators for hinged windows to varythe degree of opening thereof.

Window operators are presently employed for operating hinged windows ofthe type commonly installed in house trailers. One such operator has apivoted operating arm, the free end of which has a roller or slideelement engageable in a guideway in the window and adapted, when the armis pivoted, to adjust the angularity of the window relative to thewindow frame. The operating arm has a worm wheel segment at one endpivotally mounted in a small casing attached to the window frame. Theoperator also includes a worm rotatable within the casing and meshingwith the gear segment, and an operating crank or handle is provided atthe inner side of the window frame for rotating the worm.

The windows of house trailers commonly are hinged along their upper edgeto adapt them to pivot upwardly to open position and downwardly toclosed position, the windows varying in height from approximately sixinches to eighteen inches. For this reason it has heretofore beennecessary for the manufacturer to produce the operator, particularly theoperating arms thereof, in a variety of sizes, each adapted for use inconnection with a window of a particular size.

Such window operators have the disadvantage of pro jecting inwardly fromthe window frame into the trailer room to a distance such that operationof Venetian blinds over the windows is impaired. It is thereforedesirable that the window operator project a minimum distance.

It is also essential that the point of engagement of the operating armwith the pivoted window be adjacent the opening edge of the window, whenthe latter is in its closed position, so as to attain a high leverage toeffectively compress the window against a seal at its edge. To achievemaximum effectiveness, a window should.

open through an angle of at least ninety degrees. With the windowpivoted upwardly to such a degree, its inner, upper edge or flange ismoved downwardly and outward 1y thus reducing the height of the windowopening and the area in which an operating arm can function. Priorwindow operators are unsuitable for operating such windows through sucha large angle.

It is an object of this invention to provide an improved window operatorwhich employs a specially designed operating arm of double-crook orS-shape, the outer curve thereof providing clearance for theupper flangeof the window dring pivotal movement of the window, thereby allowingactuation of the window to a ninety-degree fully-open position. Also, bythis particular shape of the operating arm the inner curved portionthereof provides clearance for the operating screw to thus adapt the armto assume a position where it completely closes the window withsufficient force to tightly seal the same.

Another object of the invention is to provide a window operator of thecharacter referred to, in which the operating arm may be made in variouslengths to adapt it for 2,801,845 Patented Aug. 6, 1957 ice use withwindows of diiferent heights, in each case the arm having such anS-shape at its pivotal end.

Another object of the invention is to provide a window operator of thetype indicated in which the particular S-shape of the operating armmakes it possible to arrange the axis of the actuating screw and handcrank below the pivotal axis of the arm. By this provision, the crank islocated at a distance below the upper edge of the window opening in thestructural wall such that rotation of the handle, without striking thehand against the window edge, is made possible.

A further object of the invention is to provide a wint dow operatordevice which is simple in construction,

economical to manufacture, highly practical and efficient in use, andone which may be applied to use with existing pivoted windows withoutmodifying the structure thereof.

Further objects of the invention will appear from the followingdescription and from the drawings which are intended for the purpose ofillustration only, and in which:

Fig. 1 is an outside face view of a hinged window as used in a housetrailer structure, showing the present improved window operator appliedto use therewith;

Fig. 2 is an end elevational view of the same, in larger scale;

Fig. 3 is a rear or inside view of the central portion of the windowstructure and operator;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged, cross-sectional view, taken on line 4-4 of Fig.1;

Fig. 5 is a sectional plan view, taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 4; and

Fig. 6 is a side view of the window operator device, showing it equippedwith an operating arm of extended length for use with larger windows.

Referring to the drawings in detail, the present improved windowoperator is shown, by Way of example, as applied to use in connectionwith a hinged window structure of the type commonly used in the sidewall 10 of a house trailer, the window being adapted to open and closethe opening 11 in said wall.

The metal window structure includes a rectangular frame 12 havingrespective sides, top and bottom members 13, 14 and 15 of substantially2 cross section providing outer flanges 16 abutting the outer face ofthe trailer wall 10 with a resilient sealing ring 17 interposedtherebetween. The inner bent flanges 18 have hook shaped edges or lips19 for clamping the edges of a wire insect screen 20 which is stretchedacross the frame.

Secured to the upper outer flange 16 of the frame 12 is a hinge strip 23of angular cross section, the horizontal web 24 of which projectsoutwardly from the frame. This web has a semi-circular hook-like socketportion 25 providing one part of a hinge connection for the window.

The metal window 30 consists of a rectangular plate 31 having asubstantially rectangular opening 32 therein, a resilient sealing strip33 being applied to the edges of this opening. The plate 31 carries atits rear or inner side a rectangular frame 35 of angular cross-sectionalshape. A pane of glass 36 is disposed within the confines of the frame35 and is held against the inner side of the sealing strip 33 by meansof an angular retainer strip 37, this strip fitting within the windowopening frame 12 when the window 30 is in its closed position, as shownby full lines in Fig. 4. It is also to be noted that-the window engagesagainst the sealing ring 17 to seal the window opening.

The window structure 30 has a sheet metal hinge strip 39 at its upperedge, this strip having an upwardly directed hook portion 40 ofsemi-circular cross-sectional shape, this portion engaging in theelongate hinge socket 25 of the frame 12. By this means, the window 30is hingedly connected to the frame 12 for pivotal movement from theclosed position shown by full lines to the fully open position indicatedby the broken lines at A in Fig. 4. The means for operating the windowfrom within the trailer is constructed and arranged as next described.

Secured by screws 44 to the upper and lower portions of the frame of thewindow 30 and extending therebetwcen is a guide strip 45 ofchannel-shaped cross-sectional shape, see Figs. 4 and 5. One side of thechannel has an inturned lip 46 which provides a guideway 47.

Fastened against the lips 19, by means of bolts 50 and slotted backingstrip 51, is a relatively narrow casing 52, the front side of which isopen to register with a slit formed in the screen 20. The casing 52 maybe a metal die-casting and is formed with a semi-circular bearingportion 53 in which an operating worm 54 is rotatable. The worm has ashaft 55 extending through a hole in the inner vertical wall 56 of thecasing. Secured to the projecting end of the shaft 55 is a crank oroperating handle 57.

Extending between the vertical side walls of the casing 52 is a pivotpin 58. Pivotally mounted on the pin 58 is the hub portion 59 of anoperating arm 60, the hub portion being formed with a gear segment 62,the teeth of which mesh with the worm 54.

It is important to note that the operating arm 60 is of S shape, havingan upper or inner curved portion 63 providing a recess 64 into which thebearing 53 and worm 54 extend when the arm is in its retracted positionwithin the casing, as shown by full lines in Fig. 4. The lower or outeroffset curve 65 of the S defines a curved recess 66 at the front edge ofthe arm for the purpose to be later explained.

The operating arm 60 carries a roller 68 at its free end, this rollerhaving a peripheral flange 69 which engages in the guideway 47 asclearly shown in Fig. 5. During pivotal movement of the window 30 toopen and closed positions, the roller 68 rides in the guideway 47 of thechannel-shaped strip 45.

Assuming that the window 30 is in its fully closed position as shown byfull lines in Fig. 4, the upper curved portion 63 of the arm straddlesthe bearing 53 and worm 54 to allow complete counterclockwise pivotalmovement of the arm to its fully retracted position so as to force thelower edge portion of the window firmly against the sealing strip 17 toprovide a weather-tight joint. It is to be observed at this point thatthe engagement of the roller 68 in the channel-shaped guide strip 45 isat the lower end of this strip, that is, at a location which is mostremote from the hinge 25, 40 of the window. Consequently, the inwardforce is applied to the distal edge of the window to attain maximumpressure thereof against the sealing strip 17 to positively seal thewindow, with minimum manual effort on the part of the person operatingthe Window.

7 To open the window, it is only necessary to rotate the handle or crank57. Rotation of the worm 54, acting through the gear teeth 62 of theoperating arm 60, serves to pivot the arm outwardly and upwardly withits roller 68 traveling in the arc shown at 70 in Fig. 4. By reason ofthe rolling movement of the roller 68 in the guide 45 toward the hingeaxis 40, 25, the window 30 is caused to pivot upwardly to uncover theopening 11 in the trailer wall 10.

During this upward pivotal movement of the window 30, the rear edge 71of its flange 35, 37 at the upper, inner portion of the window pivotsdownwardly and outwardly, as indicated by the broken lines in Fig. 4.Now, if a conventional straight operating arm were employed, this armwould engage the downwardly moving edge 73 and thus restrict the openingof the window to an angle considerably less than ninety degrees. On theother hand, by the use of the present S-shaped arm 60, as this arm israised, the descending edge 71 of the window is free to enter and movewithin the recess 66 which provides the necessary clearance therefor.Consequently, by the present concept of a reversely-curved operating armit is possible to open the window to more than ninety degrees, thusattaining maximum ventilation. As will be apparent, the window may beopened to any desired angle between its fully closed and fully openpositions, for example, to the intermediate position indicated at 30B inFig. 4. The worm and gear driving connection 54, 62 is self-locking andthus serves to retain the window in any selected position.

To close the window, the above procedure is reversed, and as theoperating arm 60 is pivoted downwardly it acts through the roller andguide means 68, 45 to hinge the window downwardly. During this movement,the edge 71 of the window 30 moves through the curved recess 66 of thedownwardly moving operating arm 60.

The window 30 illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4 is of a relatively long narrowtype, that is, one having minimum height. The present operator is,however, not limited to use with such a window.

Referring now to Fig. 6, when the operator is to be used in connectionwith operating a window of greater height, it is equipped with anoperating arm of greater length. The arm 80 is similar to the arm 30with the exception that the lower end of the curve 65 is extended in astraight portion 81 carrying the roller 68 at its extremity. While thearm 30 is capable of operating the larger type windows, it has beendetermined that greater efficiency isattained by the use of the longerarm 80 which applies the inward force against the lower free end of thewindow necessary to compress the sealing strip 17.

It is thus seen from the foregoing that by the present operating device,embodying the S-shaped operating arm 30 or 80, sufficient clearance isprovided for parts of the window at all times so that it is possible toopen the window through at least a ninety degree are. At the same time,location of the arm pivot 62 between the worm 54 and the window hinge 25is made possible so that the crank handle 57 is, in effect, lowered to apoint where there is provided adequate clearance between the handle andthe opening 11 in the structural wall 10 to allow free rotation of thecrank without interference.

In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, I have hereindescribed the principle of the invention, together with the structurewhich I now consider to represent the best embodiment thereof. I wish tohave it understood, however, that various modifications might be made inthe shape, construction, and use of the operator without departing fromthe scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. An operator for use in connection with a window structure having afixed frame and a frame for said window, said frames being hinged alongadjacent edges of the two frames for pivotal movement of the said windowframe with respect to the said fixed frame to open and closed positionsof said window frame, said window frame including guide means, saidoperator comprising: a casing attachable to said fixed frametransversely thereof; a worm screw mounted on said casing and rotatableabout an axis extending normal to the hinge axis of said frames; crankmeans for rotating said worm screw; an operating arm pivoted to thecasing on a pivot axis extending parallel to said hinge axis, said pivotaxis being located between the worm screw and said hinge axis, said armhaving a gear element at its pivotal end in mesh with said worm screw,said arm being of S shape and providing a first clearance recess in itsedge disposed remotely from said window frame and adjacent its pivotalend, and a second clearance recess in its edge facing said window frame,said first recess being located to receive said worm screw when the armis in or near its closed position, said second recess being located toreceive the edge of said window frame adjacent said hinge axis as saidwindow frame approaches a fully open position; and means at the free endof said arm and engageable with said guide means and operative, when thearm is pivoted, to move said window frame between said open and closedpositions.

2. An operator for use in connection with a window structure having afixed frame and a window frame hinged along adjacent edges of the framesfor pivotal movement of said window frame with respect to said fixedframe to open and closed positions of said window frame, said windowframe having guide means thereon, said operator comprising: An operatorhousing attachable to the fixed frame transversely thereof, said housingbeing open on the side thereof facing the area in which said windowframe pivots; a worm screw mounted within said housing intermediate theends of said open side for rotation about an axis extending normal tothe hinge axis of said frames, said worm screw dividing said housinginto first and second spaces, said first space lying on the side thereofadjacent said hinge axis and said second space lying on the oppositeside thereof; crank means for rotating the worm screw; an operating armpivoted to said housing on an axis extending parallel to said hingeaxis, said pivot axis for said operating arm lying within said firstspace, said arm having a worm wheel at its pivotal end in mesh with saidworm screw, said arm being of S shape and providing a first clearancerecess in its edge disposed remotely from the window frame and adjacentits pivotal end, and a second clearance recess in its edge facing saidwindow frame, said first recess being located to receive said worm screwwhen the arm is in a closed or slightly open position, said secondrecess being located to receive the edge of the Window frame adjacentsaid hinge axis as the window frame approaches a fully open position,the part of the arm that forms said second recess lying within saidsecond space when said window frame is in a closed or slightly openposition; and means at the free end of said arm and engageable with theguide means on said window frame and operative, when the arm is pivoted,to move said window frame between said open and closed positions.

3. A window operator for a wind-ow mounted in a window sill having athickness corresponding to the thickness of the wall supporting saidsill, said window having a fixed frame and a window frame pivoted onsaid fixed frame, said fixed frame being mounted within said sill, saidwindow operator comprising: A guide strip mounted across and supportedby said window frame, said guide strip being positioned midway betweentwo opposite ends of said window frame; a casing mounted on said fixedframe, said casing and said guide strip having their longitudinal axeslying in a common plane perpendicular to the plane of said window; aworm screw supported by said casing and having its longitudinal axislying in the said plane and being perpendicular to the plane of saidwindow when said window is in closed position; a worm wheel having teethengaging said worm screw, said teeth occupying at least of the peripheryof said worm wheel, said worm wheel being mounted on an axle supportedby said casing; an S-shaped operating arm with one end fixedly connectedto said wheel and the other end slidingly connected to said guide strip;and an operating handle connected to said worm screw for opening andclosing said window, one portion of said S-shaped operating armproviding a recess for accommodating the free end of said worm screw,and the second curved portion of said arm providing a recess foraccommodating an adjacent portion of said window frame when said windowframe is swung open to its extreme open position, said extreme openposition being at least 90 away from said closed position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,724,011 Flagg Aug. 13, 1929 1,971,360 Watson Aug. 28, 1934 2,337,913McClearen Dec. 28, 1943 2,699,232 Singleton Jan. 11, 1955

